Pumpkin Patch, Assisi Heights, and Apple Orchard

Saturday we had a fun filled day planned with Grandma and Grandpa. Matt was in Canada for a few days. We went to Oak View Nursery in town. It started out as a chilly day, but when the sun came out it warmed up a little bit.

We pet the animals...

Went down the big slide, posed for pictures...

Played in the leaf pile...

I think the favorite was the corn and maze. They were determined to find all the stops on their card. Lucas caught onto that concept quickly and had to cross off on his card also.

Played mini golf...

Played in the corn box....

Attempted Jacob's ladder.....love this picture of Nolan in the act of falling!

Went for a hayride......

After the pumpkin patch we headed to Rochester....I have two great aunts (one on each side) that are nuns (sisters). They are both at the motherhouse, Asissi Heights.

This place is beautiful and I'm always in awe when I'm there, though it's been awhile since I was last there. We visited my dad's aunt, Sr. Florence, who is not doing so well. My mom's aunt, Sr. Bernadett, came with us to the Sekapp apple orchard.

The boys let some energy out in the courtyard.

Sekapp orchard was a really nice orchard. Granted it is a little late in the season and many of the apples have been picked, however we still found our share of good apples. The boys LOVE picking apples....and eating them. Lucas ate a WHOLE apple...pealing and all. You had to take a wagon ride out to the orchard.

We went out for dinner at a place called Whistle Binkies...I laugh every time I say that name. ;) It was a pub type place and the food was delicious.

It was a packed day, but so much fun. Everyone was exhausted by night time, adults included.

SYTYCD

Natey and Diane gave mom and I tickets to So You Think You Can Dance in the cities. I love watching this show on TV. My favorite dancer of all seasons , Melanie, won this year so I was excited to see her.

This was my favorite couple, Marko and Melanie, doing one of my favorite dances from the show.

Thanks for the tickets Natey and Diane, great seats. Mom, thanks for the fun night. Lots of good laughs and good company. ;)

Few things from the week:

Lucas decided he wasn't colorful enough. Thankfully it was just on him and was easy to get out/off.

I was snuggling with Nolan one night and we were talking about stuff. I started telling him how proud I was of him being so happy that night (Matt started talking about goals with Jacob and Nolan....Nolan's goal is to be happy and Jacob's is to be a good listener). Nolan tends to get to get upset really quickly, sometimes explodes......however I would too if I was the youngest of three brothers always fighting for attention and to get a word in. Anywho.....I told him how he did such a great job being happy that night, he was in such a great mood.... he said "Thanks". I said, "What should mommy's goal be?"....totally put myself up for that one. He hesitated for a moment as if he was thinking real hard......"To not yell....". I couldn't keep my laugh in. Guess I've been yelling a lot lately huh? Kind of smacks ya in the face. I told him that is a great goal for me, and I will work on it. I also asked him though why mommy yells and he told me because they don't listen. I said, "Yep....mommy doesn't yell very often the first couple of times I ask you to do something or tell you something....but when I have to do it 5 times, then I start to yell." He nodded and smiled. I told him I would make a deal....I will work on yelling....if you work on listening the first time. We shook on it.

I had to laugh because he also said daddy's goal was to not yell and Connor's goal was to not cry (Connor's been a little sensitive lately...getting teary eyed when things aren't going his way). At least I know Nolan understands the concept of goals. He was right on for all of us. He is going to be too smart for his own good.

Road Trip

This past weekend Matt and I took a little road trip down to Illinois for a college friend's wedding. It was about a 6 hour drive. We took off early Saturday morning and arrived with enough time to check into the hotel and freshen up. Here is the our friend, Matt, and his new beautiful bride.

The reception was unbelievable. I truly don't know if I have been to a wedding like this. Ever. It was at an incredible golf course. The color of the leaves on the trees helped make it so beautiful. The appetizers were scrumptious....lamb on a stick, breaded artichokes, sushi, basil tomato and cheese sticks, and a few more. The tables were absolutely stunning.

Each setting had a menu on it, glass of champagne, and glass of wine....

Meal consisted of butter squash ravioli for first course, a very unique salad for second course, and third course was a filet mignon, garlic mashed potatoes, and baby carrots, baby asparagus, and baby green beans. Of course there was cake and desserts.

Matt and Matt shared the same birthdays and lived in the same dorm freshman year and in the same house junior year.

The college crew at the wedding.

The St. Mary's boys crew.... (lots of trouble)

The band was phenomenal. You name it they played it.....We danced the night away....those of you that know my husband know he doesn't really get out on the dance floor....however this band was THAT good. ;) ;)

We got up early Sunday morning and drove back home to pick up the boys at mom and dad's. Short and sweet trip, but we had such a GREAT TIME. Here's Lucas having fun with the glasses handed out at the wedding.

Homecoming 2011

Like I mentioned in the previous post, Connor was asked to be Junior Royalty king. He was excited but pretty nervous leading up to the big weekend. Typical for him. We were in bed Wednesday night talking about it and I asked him what he was most nervous about. He said he was nervous about coronation because how was he supposed to know who the king and queen were. Ha. He thought he actually crowned them. After I told him that he didn't have to do the crowing he laughed and you could see the relief fill his face.

Thursday night Kate and him walked up the crowns on pillows and handed them off. They looked so adorable.

Friday afternoon the schools here had early dismissal for the parade. It was a beautiful day. Kate and Connor got to ride in a black convertible. Matt and the girls, Grandma and Grandpa, and Natey met up with us to watch the parade.

After the parade we went to have malts. Yummy.

Last but not least Friday night Connor and Kate rode in a golf cart with the rest of the homecoming court around the football field during half time. Connor loved that. When it was all over....Connor actually got sad when the night came to an end. It was back to earth......